Checkmate Rentals is a host-favorite full-service Airbnb management company operating across the entire US market. In addition to providing end-to-end management, the firm offers more personalization, more flexibility, and more ownership than all competitors. Unlike other vacation rental property managers, Checkmate Rentals co-hosts properties with owners so that you own your listing and all its 5-star guest reviews forever.
In this in-depth Checkmate Rentals property management review, we’ll look at the company history and structure, the services that it delivers to hosts, the markets where it operates, the types of properties that it works with, the fees that it charges, and the terms under which it works. Moreover, we’ll take a look at what owners and guests say about Checkmate Rentals in their reviews. Our ultimate goal is to help you make an informed decision whether Checkmate Rentals is the best solution for your needs as a STR investor. We’ll conclude by taking a look at the most popular alternatives to Checkmate Rentals for different types of owners.
To learn more about our services and how we can help your property drive maximum results, you can schedule a meeting or call/text 724-584-7822.
Checkmate Rentals Company Overview
Checkmate Rentals is a full-service vacation rental property management company. Chad Phillips founded Checkmate Rentals in 2020, and the company has its headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA. However, Chad’s experience in the Airbnb space, as a host, spans significantly more years. The company was established by Airbnb hosts for Airbnb hosts with the mission to redefine the short-term rental management industry by making hosts a top priority and ensuring that each host feels valued as an integral part of the community.
Checkmate Rentals’ work is based on the following core values and principles:
- Personal relationships
- Personalization
- Reliability
- Innovation
- Integrity and transparency
- Community
As a result, the company delivers unique services to vacation rentals and their owners originating from expertise, resilience, and commitment to excellence.
Up until now, Checkmate Rentals has generated more than $4 million in client revenue. The company has the capacity to work nationwide with the same level of quality and dedication.
It’s important to note that some customers use the services of Checkmate Rentals to run an Airbnb rental arbitrage business in addition to traditional vacation rentals. Airbnb arbitrage refers to renting a property on a long-term basis and subletting it to guests on a short-term basis. Of course, you need to have the permission of the property owner (landlord) to do this and to ensure that your market does not prohibit this successful real estate investing practice.
The main benefit of this approach is that you can make money from Airbnb without owning a property and overcoming all the potential challenges associated with this. So, Checkmate Rentals can help savvy investors operate a short-term rental business without the need for property ownership.
What Checkmate Rentals Does for Vacation Rental Property Owners
As a full-service Airbnb management company, Checkmate Rentals takes care of all the tasks that go into managing an investment property and renting it out on a daily basis. Meanwhile, with its professional, end-to-end services and access to the latest technology, the company improves the performance of STRs, and Checkmate Rentals-managed properties consistently outperform comps in the market.
This allows investors to enjoy passive income from their vacation rentals, whether they invest close to home or remotely. Furthermore, owners benefit from increased income which more than compensates the fees that the Airbnb property manager charges. All this means that hosts get to earn more while doing zero work. Instead, they can focus their efforts on growing their Airbnb investment portfolio and expanding their market share.
Checkmate Rentals Property Management Services
Full-service Airbnb property management is at the core of the services that Checkmate Rentals provides to owners. Our Checkmate Rentals property management review shows that these services are truly comprehensive, offering a hands-off approach to owners, if that’s what they want. Importantly, every time, the services delivered by the company are tailored to the specific needs of each individual property and the preferences of its owner.
The main difference between Checkmate Rentals and other vacation rental managers is that the former applies a co-hosting model according to which listings are co-hosted by the company and the owner. In this way, you own your listings forever and you get to keep all positive reviews and your entire Airbnb business in case you decide to stop working with Checkmate Rentals. Competitors, on the other hand, list properties under their name, so owners lose all rankings and have to start from scratch every time they cancel STR property management services.
So, let’s take a look at what exactly goes into Checkmate Rentals full-service property management for Airbnb:
Checkmate Rentals Full-Service Airbnb Management Services
The all-inclusive short-term rental property management services provided by Checkmate Rentals include:
- Airbnb-SEO optimized listings: Creating custom property listings including listing title, listing description, professional photos, house rules, and all other elements that boost ranking on each booking channel.
- High-definition photography: Taking professional photos of the property that highlight all its strengths and unique selling points and that look great on Airbnb and other short-term rental websites.
- Custom copywriting: Crafting proven titles and descriptions that work for Airbnb SEO and help listings rank high in guest searches.
- Listing distribution: Listing properties on all top booking channels including both the largest platforms, such as Airbnb and Vrbo, and more niche websites.
- Targeted digital marketing: Email marketing services for access to interested guests looking for the most exciting trips in the US market.
- Dynamic Airbnb pricing: Dynamic daily rates based on cutting-edge technology combined with your dedicated pricing manager’s expertise.
- Revenue management: Optimizing property earnings by reaching the right balance between competitive daily rates and Airbnb occupancy rate.
- 24/7 guest communication and services: Responding in full to all guest inquiries within 10 minutes, 24/7, via dedicated reservation agents.
- Guest screening: Confirming guest qualifications and only hosting guests 25+ to ensure the safety of your property and your neighbors.
- Check-in and check-out support: Seamless check-in and check-out coordination via smart Airbnb locks.
- Smart home management: Managing all smart home devices including smart digital locks, noise monitoring technology, and more.
- Professional cleaning: Consistent, hospitality-quality cleaning services between stays to prepare your property for the next guest.
- Guest supply restocking: Replacing all guest supplies between stays and taking care of amenities.
- Inspections: Conducting regular inspections to identify any small problems and fix them before turning into huge money drains.
- Regular maintenance: Performing reliable maintenance services to ensure that your short-term rental business continues running smoothly year after year.
- Payment processing: Directly sending owner payouts to hosts to ensure full financial transparency and accountability.
- Reporting: Comprehensive performance and financial reporting to owners, month after month.
All property management services provided by Checkmate Rentals meet and even exceed the standards of the hospitality industry and the short-term rental market for satisfied guests and owners, each time. Hosts can rest assured that their properties are handled with the care that they deserve and that their guests receive all the services that they expect, as testified by the thousands of 5-star guest reviews of Checkmate Rentals-managed listings.
Additional Checkmate Rentals Property Management Services
In addition to the comprehensive services listed above, Checkmate Rentals also offers:
- Short-term rental insurance (optional): Offering an affordable Airbnb insurance that covers $3,000 in accidental property damage by guests.
While short-term rental insurance is not obligatory from a legal point of view, it is a must in order to protect your property from costly unintentional damages caused by guests. STRs are subject to increased wear and tear due to the nature of the business. Checkmate Rentals protects your property against damage in case you don’t already have comprehensive policy coverage. Claims are much easier and faster than with standard insurance companies.
Airbnb Property Management Services That Checkmate Rentals Does Not Provide
The only service that Checkmate Rentals doesn’t offer to short-term rental property investors is interior design and furnishing. This is common in the industry as most Checkmate Rentals alternatives do not provide Airbnb design and furnishing. Consequently, owners need to resort to third-party vacation rental furnishing companies unless their property is already welcome to host guests.
Checkmate Rentals Property Management Markets
Checkmate Rentals has the capacity to manage short-term rentals across the entire US market, including big, popular cities and small, remote locations in all 50 states. This covers all the best short-term rental markets as well as less popular Airbnb destinations. This works particularly well for Airbnb investors with diverse portfolios covering a few different locations across the US.
Checkmate Rentals is able to achieve nationwide market coverage by setting up local teams of vetted STR experts and hospitality professionals in an area prior to signing properties there. In this way, owners benefit from access to local staff and local team support that is well-prepared to handle every property or guest need, at all times. Meanwhile, all local teams deliver the same level of quality and professionalism that has become the signature of the Checkmate Rentals brand.
Property Types That Checkmate Rentals Manages
Our Checkmate Rentals review reveals that the vacation rental manager can work with a diverse range of residential properties rented out on a daily/nightly basis. Eligible properties include but are not limited to:
- Single-family homes
- Townhouses
- Duplexes
- Triplexes
- Studios
- Apartments
- Condos
- Cabins
- Cottages
- Small multifamily buildings
- Small, boutique hotels
Regardless of the type of second home that you own or plan to purchase, Checkmate Rentals customizable services can be fit to even the most unique properties and their specific needs.
Checkmate Rentals Vacation Rental Property Management Costs and Fees
Checkmate Rentals charges a single monthly property management fee that starts at only 15% of booking revenue. The exact rate depends on the location, the property type and size, the amenities, and the required services. There are no hidden fees to inflate the cost. Owners know exactly how much they will need to pay after discussing their property with the Checkmate Rentals and getting a custom quote.
For comparison, typically full-service Airbnb managers charge 25-40% or more of rental income, while half-service companies ask for 10-15% for only partial management. Moreover, many property managers charge a range of additional fees such as linen provision, smart home management, amenities maintenance, property inspections, and home maintenance coordination. This means that month after month hosts end up paying significantly more than what they initially expected.
Instead, Checkmate Rentals emphasizes transparency and clarity throughout the process, from the first introductory call you hold with the team all throughout the management of your short-term rental property business.
Checkmate Rentals Property Management Terms and Conditions
Next in our Checkmate Rentals review, we’ll take a look at the terms and conditions under which the company works with owners. The Airbnb property manager does not demand long-term commitment from hosts, with no annual property management contracts. Instead, agreements offer flexible provisions that allow owners to continue using the services of the company for as long as they are happy with the quality. Checkmate Rentals aims to retain customers for the long haul by offering superior Airbnb management rather than by imposing strict terms. There are no onboarding fees and no early cancellation fees.
Additionally, Checkmate Rentals ensures a fast property and owner onboarding process and quick property listing so that you start earning money from Airbnb right away, without unnecessary delays. Short-term rentals that are ready to welcome guests can be listed in as little as 3 days.
Checkmate Rentals Reviews by Hosts and Guests
Checkmate Rentals reviews by owners and guests emphasize the positive experiences that the company provides to both types of customers. Airbnb host testimonials praise the extensive experience of the Checkmate Rentals local teams, the useful recommendations, the help in turning failing properties into Airbnb success stories, the assistance in growing portfolios, the unmatched boost in revenue, the comprehensive management, the attention to detail, the always available support, and the effective communication.
At the same time, Checkmate Rentals-managed listings have generated more than 2,500 5-star reviews by guests on Airbnb, Vrbo, and other top channels. Guests highlight the fantastic properties that are perfectly maintained and stocked, the attentive team, the trouble-free experiences, the seamless processes, and the prompt communication practices.
How to Get Started with Checkmate Rentals Short-Term Rental Property Management
To get started with Checkmate Rentals, all you have to do is to book a meeting with the team or call/text 724-584-7822. During the call, you will discuss your specific property, its unique needs, your personal preferences, and all that the company can do for you. Your property can be onboarded and listed for renting in as little as 3 days.
Checkmate Rentals Alternatives and Competitors
Savvy investors want to explore a few different options before choosing the best fit for their business. That’s why we’ll have a look at the best Checkmate Rentals competitors available to hosts in the US market.
Following is an overview of the top Checkmate Rentals alternatives and a side-by-side comparison of the services that they provide and the results that they deliver:
Checkmate Rentals vs Vacasa
Vacasa is the largest vacation rental management company in North America, which makes it the biggest competitor of Checkmate Rentals. At the moment, the company works with more than 40,000 STRs distributed across the US as well as in select locations in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Belize. As a result of this large portfolio, it seems that Vacasa is spreading too thin as proven by customer reviews pointing out poor-quality services in some markets.
Vacasa focuses on full-service Airbnb property management but also provides half-service STR management (via Vacasa Guestworks) and long-term rental management (via the Extended Stay Program, ESP). Standard full-service property management services include listing, distribution, dynamic pricing, guest services, inspections, maintenance, and payment processing. These services are covered by the monthly fee, which depends on the market, the number of bedrooms, and the available amenities. While Vacasa does not disclose the typical range, hosts who have worked with the company share that fees can exceed 40% of revenue.
Meanwhile, many services are offered as add-ons, including a linen program, a smart home program, hot tub and swimming pool management, and property damage protection. This means that owners need to pay extra for them to ensure the smooth operations of their Airbnb business. These additionally charged services are the reason for Vacasa being significantly more expensive than Checkmate Rentals, which provides comprehensive services in a single property management package.
In terms of market coverage, Vacasa operates in multiple cities in 41 US states, focusing on popular tourist destinations and top Airbnb locations.
Checkmate Rentals vs Awning
Awning is another popular name in the Airbnb property management, but it’s considerably smaller than Vacasa, with a portfolio closer to 100 rentals. Similar to Vacasa, Awning offers full-service vacation rental management, half-service Airbnb management (via RedAwning), and long-term rental management. This lack of focus on a single niche might lead to suboptimal results for properties and owners.
Awning STR management services comprise listing creation and distribution, marketing, smart home installation and management, linen, guest support, booking management, housekeeping, amenities management, and property maintenance. In addition, Awning offers Airbnb home design and furnishing services as well as vacation rental insurance.
Awning property management fees start at 10% of revenue for half-service and go up as more services are added to the package. Meanwhile, the standard range of design and furnishing services is $15,000-$45,000, depending on the size of the property, the location, and the level of finishing.
Awning can work with rental properties throughout the US.
Checkmate Rentals vs Evolve
Unlike Checkmate Rentals, Evolve is a half-service Airbnb property manager, offering an alternative solution for owners who prefer to be directly involved in the management of their vacation rental. Keep in mind though that as Evolve focuses on the automation of marketing, pricing, and communication, all on-the-ground tasks remain your responsibility, requiring a lot of time and effort on your behalf.
Evolve services include listing management, digital marketing, guest communication and support, dynamic pricing, risk protection, and payment processing. The company can also connect owners with vetted local contractors offering housekeeping and maintenance services, but it is the responsibility of the host to choose and manage their team.
Evolve offers 2 packages: Evolve Core for 10% of monthly revenue and Evolve Plus for 15% of income. They cover the same services, with the latter package offering a bit more support.
Evolve works in hundreds of locations across the US but does not have nationwide coverage.
Bottom Line
Our Checkmate Rentals property management review shows that the company offers more customization and flexibility than competitors along with truly comprehensive Airbnb management services. This makes Checkmate Rentals the preferred choice for hundreds of owners and hosts across the US who want to earn passive income from their investment properties while their performance gets optimized via professional, top-ranked services. Fees start at only 15% of revenue, which is an industry-low rate for full-service management.
To discuss your property and how we can help, schedule a call or call/text 724-584-7822. End-to-end vacation rental management is just one call away.
